Saturday, April 19, 2008

The Big Debate

Ok lady and gent,

I am trying to make a decision on which bike I would like to get, when i finish getting my license, and have a place set aside in my checkbook for a new payment. I know that certain people out there think I should get a "mustang", but my apartment doesn't allow 4 cars to a family, but they will allow 3 cars and a motorcycle. Go figure. BY THE WAY, I'm blogging because I'm upset tonight. It's a beautiful lightning storm outside, and i can't take pictures of it (camera is still in repair) so I'm blogging instead. How productive.

So, here's the problem: family and friend say 'Get a cruiser. They are good bikes, easy to ride, comfortable, and we like them.' I say, 'Cruisers are ugly and I don't want to accidentally grow a fat ass. Plus I like sport bikes.' Family and friend say, 'You drive like an asshole (apparently this is an automatic thing) on sport bikes. Cruiser bikes will help you stay safer.' I call bullshit. However, less room for 2 people on a sport bike. Please keep in mind, it is about look, some of it. I don't want a fucking PT Cruiser, I want a Jetta. So I'm trying to kinda urge you all to keep that in mind.

So for one of the three of you that read this, in case you weren't sure what the differences were, I'm gonna post my favorites for each type (cruiser or sport) of bike made by Yamaha, Honda, and Suzuki. (No harleys. uck.)

First lets start with Honda: ugh, if I have to pick a cruiser from Honda, I'd have to say Shadow Spirit 750. 750 Because apparently they don't offer a 650. Assholes. Plus it's really cheap new. This is what that bike looks like.It's not bad, I'll admit. This is the 2008 model. But it's not badass, and it's too clumpy. But I bet I could touch both my feet flat on the ground on this little baby. Plus the rear seat is weird.For a Honda Sport bike: Well lets just say that looking at their website they don't have anything that really suits my interests in sport bikes. They are all too expensive or too big. Good job Honda.

Ok so then lets move to Yamaha. I like Yamaha, much much more than I like Honda. So, for a cruiser bike for Yamaha, lets go with V Star Custom. I say that because it's in my affordable range, and as far as I know I can get it in 650-750CC and it's not too ugly. It's kinda badass, but i'm also not crazy about the rear seat. It's humped up over the fender, and I could put a back on it, but if I ever had to ride on my own bike or have someone sit on the bike (someone with say, long legs or a bad back) I'd want them to be comfortable too. Here's a picture of the bike i'm talking about (I borrowed it from the yamaha site if you want a better look):Ok so lets talk Yamaha sport bikes: I like the Yamaha YZF-R6 because of a few reasons. It's cheaper, (only about 10 grand new) sharp looking, and has a small exhaust to prevent big owies. Plus it's at 600cc, so it's just right for little ol me. But i'm not crazy about the front wheel. I have a thing about that. I'd have to drive it to see how I liked it.Again, I borrowed that from the Yamaha site. Go look around cuz there's probably more there that you'll like.

So then we move to Suzuki. It's a company I like a lot, even though I have trouble spelling it a lot of the time. :D With the suzuki cruiser bike, I'd have to go of course with the Boulevard S50. I like the back seat a lot because it's flat, and the handlebars aren't so complicated. Sometimes they get complicated you know... It's a ladies bike. But it's not too harleyish, which I find that a lot of touring/cruiser bikes from companies other than harley tend to be. So it's nicer. I get bored with harley. Here is a picture.Ok, now lets move on to Suzuki Sport bikes. Probably my favorite, and I don't know why because they are the bike I see the most often, and I like to be unusual. but, I think as far as Suzuki sport bikes go, well I like the Hayabusa, but dad says no way and i'm trying to keep him from throwing tomatoes at me all the time for getting a big bike and making him worry about me being out on the road on a bike I admit I can't handle. So I really like the GSXR, and I like the Katana (go figure.) And it's truly a toss up between the two. They are both very stylish, offer about the same as far as specs and whatnot, but I just don't know which I like better. This is the GSX and it's about 10 grand new, and it's exactly how many CC's I'm looking for. I like it a lot. Ok now let's look at the Katana. Ok well I looked at the Katana, and since blogger is putting an apparent halt on the amount of pictures I can upload, I said okay, and decided to REALLY look at the katana. It's okay. But it seems like a chick bike too. I mean, it's okay! It's not terrible.

So, help me out folk(s). Tell me your opinion. Chances are, I'll do what I want anyway (ha ha ha), but it never hurts to hear a second opinion. And I hope you enjoyed that I actually blogged, and that there were pictures of motorcycles involved. That's always fun, right? I could always post that picture of my brother again. You liked that right?

You've got several good bikes picked out. I think that it would be hard to go wrong with any of them.

My only suggestion would be to sit on them at the dealer and see how they feel to you, and as always, keep doing the research. Looks like your off to a good start.

And thank goodness your not looking at Hauleys... er, I mean Harleys. You'd have to give away some of your brain cells and sock all of your extra money into chrome and leather. And, you'd have to be a prick that scowls all of the time.

Scroll a month or so back on my blog when you get a chance. You'll get a little taste of what I ride each day, and why I hate Harley fuckers so bad.

Anyhow, back to bikes. Cruisers are lower to the ground, so you'd probably fit them a little better, but they're built for... cruising - in a straight line. Most of them are great on the interstate, but suck ass at slow speeds. Plus, I just hate forward controls.

Sport bikes are cool - I had one once - but just like everyone else, I plowed mine into the earth like an Atlas rocket. They are a little sportier, but 600cc's is a whole hell of a lotta bike. Plus, whatever money you may save on gas is offset by the ridiculous insurance rates that you'll have to pay for a rice rocket.

A good compromise in the sport bike realm is the Suzuki SV650. I use to have one once and it was retarded monkey fast. Plus, they're a lot cheaper and more comfortable than a full blown rice rocket.

Also, don't rule out dual sports. Several manufacturers make some really nifty mix terrain bikes that do a little bit of everything, but nothing really well. I'm acutally saving up now for a Suzuki DL650, which is basically my old SV650 on steroids. I've been really setting my mind around adventure touring lately and also a bike that would be great for commuting back and forth to work.